IJsselmeer

IJsselmeer, shallow freshwater lake, northern Netherlands. The lake is part of a long-term land reclamation project. It was formed in 1932 upon completion of the IJsselmeer Dam across the former Zuider Zee, which was a landlocked arm of the North Sea. The dam, which is 31 km (19 mi) long, has a road for cars across it and contains navigation locks and drainage sluices. IJsselmeer receives the fresh waters of the IJssel, Vechte, and Zwartewater rivers; the city of Amsterdam is on an inlet of the lake. Part of the original 3,691 sq km (1,425 sq mi) of IJsselmeer has been drained and is now arable land. The reclaimed areas are known as polders. Two large polders, Flevoland and Noordost (North-east) Polder, cover between them some 40 per cent of the area under water in 1932. Another large polder, Markerwaard, is currently being planned.